Speed-changing mechanism



W. I WHEELER.

SPEED CHANGING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED FEB.24,120

L396 1 5 1 Pacemgd Nam 8, 192A 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Q im ww/ W. i. WHEELEH. SPEED CHANGING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24, 1970.

.1 3 9 1 5 1 Q Patented Nov. 8, 192] 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SPEED-CHANGING MECHMISM.

Application filed February 24, 1920. Serial No.

To a]! whom it may concern:-

Be it known that I, VILLIAM I. lVHnnLnn, a citizen of the United States.residing at Scottville, in the count Y of Macoupin and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSpeed-Changing Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.reference being had to the acconipanying drawings. I

This invention relates to certain improvements in speed changingmechanism, and it is an object of the invention to pro vide a novel andimproved mechanism of this general character wherein means is providedfor automatically 'arying the speed of the driven shaft of a motorvehicle in accordance with the engine load, without the necessity of anymanual operation.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improveddevice of this general character embodying a structure including aplurality of cylinders in communi cation with a central casing orreservoir and wherein is included a continuous chamber in communicationwith each of the cylinders and in communication at a single point withthe casing or reservoir, together with pistons mounted for rectilinearmovement within the cylinders and in operative engagement with a crankinterposed in the driving shaft.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedmechanism of this general character wherein the single connectionbetween the casing or reservoir and the continuous chamber is undercontrol of a valve operable under the influence of centrifugal force sothat the flow of the fluid medium may be regulated in accordance withthe requirements of practice and as dependent upon the engine load.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved speedchanging mechanism, whereby certain important advantages are attainedand the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise moreconvenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fullyset forth.

The novel features of my invention Will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed tode- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 8. 1921. 360,954.

scribe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings. wherein rFigure l is a view partly in section and. partly in elevationillustrating changing mechanism constructed in t ance with allembodiments of my invention;

1 is a vertical sectional view ll substantially on the line 2-2 of F lwith portions in elevation of the structure illustrated in Fig. l:

ig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially onthe 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a fragmentar sections illustrating indetail the controlli valve. said valve being shown in a closed positioniF 1g. 5 is a fragmentary view talren in a direction circumferentially ofthe con' nous chamber and thron -h the in view valve, said controllingval ye being S l full open position;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of the s iporting member for the valveunapplied.

1g. 7 is a view in perspective of the controlling valve as hereinembodied unapplietl; and Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectionalview illustrating in detail a connec tion between a cylinder and the,continuous chamber.

As disclosed in the accompanying ings. D denotes a driving shaft whiche3.- tends through the axial center of a cas ng or reservoir C and whichcasing or I'ESBE" is capable of rotation about the shaft l) ndependentlythereof and vice versa. tie casing or reservoir C, the shaft u is videdwith the crank A. The driv as She.

is adapted to coact with the dr 'en sha in any ordinary or preferred marand preferably through the medium mechanism substantially the sameembodied in my copending applie. Serial No. 243,526, filed July 6th. tobe understood. however. that-it is not intention to limit the presentinvention to the particular mechanism illustrated in prior application.

adiating from the casing or reservoir C and suitably ailixed thereto isa plurali y of cylinders 1 'equidistantly spaced in a tioncircumferentially of the casing i voir C. The inner end of each of'hbllow type, and which is operativley engaged through the medium of therod 4: with the crank A. of the shaft D. In order to assure a directthrust of each of the rods 4t upon the crank A, adjacent cylinders 1 arelaterally'oifset one with respect to the other, as may be occasioned bythe requirements of practice.

The outer or closed end or head 5 of each of the pistons 3 is providedwith a port 6 which is normally closed by a check valve 7. The checkvalve 7 opens upon the inward movement of the piston 3 but closes uponthe outward movement thereof.

E denotes an annular chamber preferably rectangular in cross section,although this particular configuration is not essential. The chamber Eis arranged to one side of the cylinders 1 and is common to all of saidcylinders. Each of the cylinders 1 adjacent its outer or closed end orhead 8 is provided in its side wall with a port 9 defined by anoutstanding nipple 10. A side wall of the chamber E abuts the outer endof the nipple 10, and is clamped or held thereto by the tubular member11 loosely disposed through an opening 12 in the adjacent side wall ofthe member E and in threaded engagement with the internal wall of thenipple 10. The end portion of the tubular member 11 within the chamber Eis enlarged to afford a shoulder 14 which contacts with the inner faceof the coacting side wall of the member E and whereby the tubular member11 serves effectually to anchor the chamber E to a nipple 10.

oacting with the end portion of the bore of the member 11 within thechamber E is a check valve 15 and which valve is closed upon. the inwardmovement of the piston 3 within the coactiug cylinder 1 and is openedupon the outward movement of said piston.

In order to facilitate the application of each of the tubular members 11the outer side wall of the chamber E in alinement with the opening 12 isprovided with the opening 16 of a diameter suflicient to permit theready insertion therethrough of the member 1]. and the enlarged endportion thereof. After the member 11 has been properly arranged, theopening 16 is closed by the plug 17 of a conventional type.

.\t a predetermined point between a pair of adjacent cylinders 1, theinner side wall of the chamber 'E is provided with an opening 13 whichis closed by a block 15 The block 19 is provided with the marginalflanges 20 overlying the outer face of the inner side wall of the memberE whereby the block 19 may be effectively held in applied positionthrough the instrumentality of the screws 21 or other fastening means.

The inner face of the block 19 has extending longitudinally thereof andentirely therealong, a groove or channel 22 substantially semi-circularin cross section and the opposite end portions of the block 19 areprovided with the inwardly disposed loops '23 having their inner wallsor faces also substantially semi-circular and in continuity with thegroove or channel 22. The block 19 also has directed laterallytherethrough and in communication with the groove or channel 22 theports 24:. V denotes a valve member substantially semi-circular in crosssection and provided at its opposite end portions with the cylindricalparts 25 which are received within the bearings provided by the loops23. The central portion of the walve member V is provided with the ports24 adapted to register with the ports 24 hereinbefore referred to.

The ports 24 communicate with a housing 26 herein disclosed as'securedto the inner side wall of the chamber E. In communication with thehousing 26 through the inner wall thereof and leading to and incommunieation with the casing or reservoir C is the conduit or pipe 27.

At substantially the center of the convex or rounded face of the valvemember V is secured an outstanding pin or shank 28 which is directedthrough a chamfered opening 29 provided in the block 19. The finger orshank 28 is of a length toextend a desired distance within the housing26 and terminates in the fork 30. Each of the tines or fingers of thefork 30 is loosely disposed through an opening 31 provided in a poise orweight 32. The upper or lower walls of the opening 31 are converged in adirection toward the block 19 whereby the requisite relative movementbetween the poise or weight 32 and the tines or fingers of the fork 30is permitted. The poise or weight 32 has sliding movement between theguide rods or members 33 interposed be tween the top and bottom walls ofthe lions ing 26 whereby said weight or poise 32 has movement insubstantially a fixed path of travel.

In practice, the casing or reservoir 0, the cylinders 1 and the chamberE are substantially entirely filled with oil. When the driving shaft Dis set in motion, the oil is pumped by the pistons 3 into the chamber Ethrough the ports 9 and the tubular members 11 and as the speed of theshaft D increases, the resultant centrifugal force causes the weight orpoise 32 to move .outwardly thereby rocking the valve member V, as illusrated in Fig. 4, into a position to completely close the ports 24whereby the circulation of the oil or other fluid medium is and as therotation reason 1 stopped, and the resistance oiiered between thepistons 3 and the closed or outer ends of the cylinders 1 drives thecasing or reservoir and the parts carried thereby as a unit with thedriving shaft l) and whereby the driven shaft is caused to operatedirect from the drive shaft.

its the load on the engine increases, the resultant reduction inrotation of the casing or reservoir and its concomitant parts will causethe weight or poise 32 to swing downwardly or inwardly in accordancewith such increase of load resulting in the ports 24 in the valvemember-V registering with the ports 24 in the block 19. his movement ofthe poise or weight 32 is facilitated by the spring or expansible member34 carried 1 y the upper face of the poise or weight 32. Yihen saidpoise or weight is in a position to adjust the valve member V into acompletely closed position, the spring or member 34 is placed undercompression by contact with the top or outer wall of the housing 26 ofthe casing or reservoir 1. and the parts common thereto reduces, thissprin or expansihle member 34 functions to impart a movement to theWeight or poise 32 in a direction to bringthe ports 24- into registerwith the ports 24 and the extent of the registering areas of the ports24 and 24 is dependent upon the increase in the load.

l also find it of advantage to provide means for positively limiting theextent of registration of the ports 24 herein embodied I ing 26 athreaded post 35 extending between the fingers or tines of the fork 30outwardly of the weight or poise 32. Threaded upon the post is a sleeve37 provided at its inner end with an outstanding annular flange 38. Byrotating the sleeve 37 the flange 38 thereof may be adjusted withrespect to the ports 24 so that when the poise or weight 32 comes incontact therewith, a positive stop is provided therefor. Froi'n theforegoing description. it is thought to be obvious that a speed changingmechanism constructed in accordance with my invention is particularlywell adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility withwhich it may be assembled and operated and will also be obvious that myinvention i sceptible of some changre and modification without departingfrom the principles and spirit thereof and for this do not wish to beunderstood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formatiorof the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention inpractice except as hereinafter claimed.

5 claim 1. in a speed changing mechanism, a driving shaft, a drivenshaft. and means operatively connecting said shafts includin and 26 andas arrange within the housv a casing mounted upon the driving shaft androtatable independently tliereoi cyllm dcrs carried by the casing and incommuni cation therewith, pistons movable within the cylinders andoperably engaged with the driving shaft, each of said pistons having aport therein affording communication within the cylinder at oppositesides of the piston, a chamber in communication with the casing at asingle point and with each of the cylinders at points beyond the pistonswhen at the limit of their movement away from the casing, said casincylinders and chamber being adapted to contain a mobile medium, andcentrifugally operated means for retarding the flow of the mobile mediumthrough the communication between the chamber and the casing.

2. In a speed changin mechanismi a driving shaft, driven shaft, andmeans operatively connecting said shafts including" a casing mountedupon the driving shaft and rotatable independently thereof, cylinderscarried by the casing and in communication thercwith. pistons movablewithin the cylinders and operably engaged with the driv'ng shaft, eachof said pistons having a port therein affording communication within thecylinder at opposite sides of the ton. a chamber in communication withthe -asing and with each of the cylinders at points beyond the pistonswhen at the limit of their movement away from the casing, said casing,cylinders and chamber being adapted to contain a mobile medium, andmeans operable under the influence of centrifugal force for retardingthe flow oi the mobile medium through the communication between thechamber and the casing.

3. In a speed changing mechanism, a driving shaft, a driven shaft. andmeans operatively connecting said shafts including; casing mounted uponthe drivinc shaft and rotatable independently thereof, cylinders carriedby the casing and in communication therewith, pistons movable within thecylinders and operably engaged with the driving I each of said pistonshaving a port therein affording communication within the cylinder atopposite sides of the piston. a chamber in communication with thecasing; and with each of the cylinders at points be yond the pistonswhen at the limit oi their movement away from the casing, said casingr,cylinders and chamber being adapted to contain a mobile medium, roclrinvalve for controlling; the flow of said mobile medium through thecommunication between the chamber and the casing, and means carried bysaid valve whereby the same is rocked under the influence of centrifugalforce.

4. In a speed changing mechanism, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, andmeans operatively connecting said shafts including a pis- 4 casingmounted upon the driving shaft and rotatable independently thereoit',cylinders carried by the casing and in communication therewith, pistonsmovable within the cylinders and operably engaged with the drivingshaft, each of said pistons having, a port therein affordingcommunication within the cylinder at opposite sides of the piston, achamber in comn'uinication with the casing and with each of thecylinders at points beyond the pistons when'at the limit of theirmovement away from the 'asing, said casing, cylinders and chamber beingadapted to contain a mobile medium, a rocking valve for controlling theflow of said mobile medium through the communication between the chamberand the casing, means carried by said valve whereby the same is rockedunder the influence of centrifugal force, and means tor limiting themovement of said rocking valve in. one direction.

In a speed changing mechanism, a driving shaft, a driven shaft. andmeans operatively connecting said shafts including a using mounted uponthe driving shaft and rotatable independently thereof, cylinders carriedby the casing and in communication therewith, pistons movable within thecylinders and operably engaged with the driving shaft, each oi saidpistons having a port therein affording communication within thecylinder at opposite sides of the piston, a chamber in communicationwith the casing, and with each of the. cylinders at points beyond thepistons when at the limit of their movement away from the casing, saidcase ing, cylinders and chamber being adapted to contain a mobilemedium, a rocking valve for controlling the How of said mobile mediumthrough the communication between the chamber and the casing, meanscarried by said valve whereby the same is roclred under the influence ofcentrifiigal force, and means for limiting); the movement of saidrocking valve in one direction, said means being adjustable.

5. In a speed changing mechanism, a driving shaft, a driven shaft. andmeans operati'i-ely connecting said shafts including: acasing mountedupon the driving shaft and rotatable independently thereof, cylinderscarried by the casing and in communication tl'icrewith, pistons movablewithin the cylinders and operably engaged with the driving: shaft, each0t said pistons having a port therein ai'i'orl'ling conununicationwithinthe cylinder at opposite sides 0? the piston, a chamber in communicationwith the casing and with each oi the cylinders at points be.- yond thepistons when at the limit of their movement away from the casing, saidcasing, cylinders and chamber being adapted to contain a mobile medium.a rocking: valve for controlling the flow of said mobile mediui' throughthe communication between the chamber and the casing, means carried bysaid valve whereby the same is rocked under the influence of centrifugalforce, and automatic means operating independently of the. centrifugalaction tor imparting movement- 'to the rock valve in one (lli'QC tion.

7. In a speed changing; mocha ism, a driving: shalt, a driven shaft, andmeans open atively connecting said shafts including a casing mountedupon the driving shaft and rotatable inoependently thereof, cylinderscarried by the casing and in communication therewith, pistons movable inthe cylinders and operatively shaft. each of said pistons having a pertherein affording comm unication within th ovlinderat opposite sides ofthe piston, a check valve coaeting with the port and closing uponmovement of the piston in e oirection, a chamber in communication withthe casing, at a single point and with of the cylinders at points beyondthe pistons when at the limit of their movement from the casing, acheclr'valve coactin with each communication between the chamber and acylinder, said check valve closing upon movement of the coacting: pistonin a direc tion opposite to that in which the check valve of the pistonclosed. said casing cylinders and chamber being; adapted to c: tain amobile medium, and automatic me e for retarding the flow of said mobileinedu through the communication between chamber and the casing. V

8. In a speed changing mechanism, a driv inp; shaft, a driven shaft, andmeans 0 ativcly connectingsaid shafts including a casing mounted uponthe driving shaft and rotatable independently thereof, cyli idcrscarried by the casing and in communication therewith, pistons movablewithin the cylinders and operably engaged with the driv ing shaft, eachof saidpistons having a port therein affording communication within thecylinder at opposite sides of the piston, a chamber in communicationwith the cash at a single point and with each of the cyli 4- ders atpoints beyond the pistons when the limit of their movement away from thecasing, said casing, cylinders and cl'iamber being adapted to contain amobile medium, and centriiugally operated means for re tarding" the flowof the mobile medium through the communication between the chamber andthe casing.

9 In a speed changing mechanism, a driv' inc shaft, a driven shaft. andmeans operatively connecting said shafts including a casing mounted uponthe driving shaft and rotatable independently thereof, cylinders carriedby the casing and in communication therewith, pistons movable within thecy inders and operatively engaged w th driving shaft, a chamber incommunication.

engaged with the driving with the casing and with each of the c 1-inder's, and means erable under the 1nfiuence of centrifugal force forcontrolling the flow of a fluid from the chamber to the casinglandthrough the cylinders.

' driving shaft,a driven Shvft, and means 0pa casing mounted erativelyconnecting saidv shafts, including upon the driving shaft and rotatableindependently thereof, cylinders carried by the casing and incommunication therewith, pistons movable within the cylinders andoperatively engaged with the driving shaft, a chamber in communicationwith the casing and with each of the cylinders, and means operableunder-the influence of centrifugal forcefor offering a variableresistance tothe flow of the mobile medium through the communicationbetween the chamber and-the casing and through the cylinders.

11. In a speed changing mechanism, a ving shaft,

n a speed changing mechanism, alders and operably engaged with a drivenshaft, and means operatively connecting said shafts including casingmounted upon the driving shaft and rotatable independently thereof,cylinders carried by the casing and in communication therewith, pistonsmovable within the driving shaft, each of said pistons having a porttherein affording communication within the cylinder at opposite sides ofthe piston, a chamber in communication with the casing and with each ofthe cylinders at points beyond the pistons when at the limit of theirmovement away from the casing, said casing, cylinders and chamber beingadapted to contain a mobile medium, and means operable under theinfluence of centrifugal force for offering a variable resistance to theflow of the mobile medium through the the cylinl communication betweenthe chamber and the casing and through the cylinders.

. In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

WILLIAM I. -WHEELER.

